The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-08-14
SECRETARY WHITNEY TALKS
Epniuecr.in.Ch Chief J.orinE's HesiGnntion-The
Department Not Kcsponsibie for tho At
Iantn-Thc New Modern Navy.


PHILADELPHIA Aug. is-The Times to-
morrow will publish an interview had with
Secretary whitney just before his departure
fer Bar Harbor He spoke very freely Of al
faira in his department. lie said
Tho scandals which had become associated
with every branch OF tho naval service when
this Administration cnme Into power were In
everybody's mouth. To correct these abuses
was the objective point OF oil our efforts. Be-
tween bureaucratic intrigues within and au-
tocratic dictation without, tho navy had q
poor show"
THE resignation OF Engincer-in Chief Lor-
ing forced An Issue, did 1t not p
1T brought matters to q elimination In
those quarters. For some time l have been
closely watching tho operations OF certain
bureaus. Tho exacting requirements OF tho
new ships and ornaments put men and
methods to q test. / expected that tlis h!ah
standard OF naval requirements would soon
develop what was in the men 1T tho head
OF bureau administration. 1t would show
whether they were abreast OF the times. 1he
repair of the Palos was simply an incident.
had long been entirely satisfied TINT The
weakest spot in our naval administration was
in the En- sstneer Bureau, and had made M
my mind to begin reorganization there.
The resignation of Engineor-in-Chef
I.oring ,si.npliiled matters great dca',ns u
substituting now chiet. | a2p, not wish to
denreciatc the past services OF EnSineer Lor.
nT, Ho did nSm god senS ma s1 se
for service on the mississippi River, bu; he vas
not up to tho rsgnirements q the head Of -
chinery of naval vessels of tho highest attain
able speed. the maximum attributes for o!fen-
s msehanicnf aopartsnt a eo M 10 t5a
end Under the now nsineer-ln; Chief shat
spSh an % .hs ss
civ tho best Results for ths navy 49,,
MSs Do y9o sonsrue tho behavior Of the
Inn mn not lot rosipnsiho for the Atlanta. We
take her at What che Is worth s h9pash 90 90
guns have DEMONSTRATED their enormous
power !, viii be necessary to bring, the an-
eat reauirements of Aourse s great deal COR
| nected with tho use and achievements of mod
got practical results We are subject in u
measure to surprises. ! shall expect the Ord.
nance Burean to Eon,edy the defects. and give
which will DO capable OF developing and resist
| ing their max mun energy"
think not. Although II II they hey Should Tor "a
| season 1t will not be very serious matter, we
Vessels se ss viii be YOU ognd aoat Under the Dag Of
| any nation. Let us Look at 1t. There are three
| cruisers and gnnboat now under way. These
| cruiser Newark. OF the first lot and two moro
cruisers, Of high speed and two more gun.
to construct and some other appliances Of
| naval warfare. That will keep us busy
| for awhile. / am not advocating sus-
| pension OF the appropriation 80 vigorously
| Commenced. am ready to go ahead II Con-
gress wishes, but if there should be- no addi-
| fional legislation for new ships next session
| we can see what these we hive under way can
| do. Possibly II would be the most sagacious
| thing to thoroughly test what the vessels now
| building can do before going any further. In
| two years those now. under way should DO
! ready and have no doubt by that time We
| will be able to make further strides in the di-
| rection Of Improvements In hulIs. armor. arma-
! menta. and machinery. The ships now under
| way with the monitors to be completed and
the four cruisers We are trying to utilize. Will
| mako a respectable showing for q beginning.
In further conversation the Secretary nd
verified to the past naval policy Of the Govern
| ment. Said he:
:" havo no desire to critlclse the manage
ment OF the navy under preceding adminlstra:
lions. but 1t requires only to look at the record
to ascertain the fact that politics and favorit-
| ism have had moro sway In running the navy
! than the interests OF the -sorvice. intend to
/ break this up MS far as can. Enough has
| been extended on repairs of old ships in the
| Inst fifteen years to have given us better
showing. TIL, bureaus have been crowded
! with men who have apparently been chosen
for other qualities than merit and the good OF
the service. 1t is surprising to and how dill
cult II Is to weed th0m out"